WINE PRESS. Medal Winning Wines from California s Best Family-Owned Wineries. Willowbrook Cellars. Sonoma County GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB

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1 GOLD SERIES vol. 26 no. 05 w WINE PRESS Medal Winning Wines from California s Best Family-Owned Wineries. Willowbrook Cellars Sonoma County GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB THE BEST WINE CLUB ON THE PLANET. PERIOD.

2013 Pinot Noir Monterey County 684 Cases Produced The Willowbrook Cellars 2013 Pinot Noir was produced from the Monterey County AVA, a region gaining well-deserved recognition for its Pinot Noirs,

2 2013 Pinot Noir Monterey County 684 Cases Produced The Willowbrook Cellars 2013 Pinot Noir was produced from the Monterey County AVA, a region gaining well-deserved recognition for its Pinot Noirs, partly in thanks to its close proximity to Monterey Bay. The Bay keeps daytime temperatures low which helps provide a relatively long, even growing season - the ideal setting for Pinot Noir. A great example of Monterey County Pinot Noir, this wine opens with compelling aromas of mushrooms, pine needles and candied cherries. The palate offers flavors of baked plum, black licorice and layers of freshly-picked red berry fruits that lead into a nuanced but well-structured finish. Aged in oak. 100% Pinot Noir. Enjoy now until GOLD MEDAL - Tasters Guild Consumers Wine Judging 2014 CHARDONNAY California 406 Cases Produced By sourcing fruit from many of California s most prestigious winemaking regions, winemaker Joe Otos was able to select the very best grapes for his 2014 Chardonnay. The wine opens with complex aromas of vanilla, pineapple and nutmeg, which lead into a rich mouthfeel and creamy flavors of honey and almond with subtle citrus notes. Extremely well balanced from start to finish, this Willowbrook 2014 Chardonnay is the perfect complement to a number of meals including grilled lobster, smoked Brie cheese, roasted chicken risotto, and butternut squash. Aged in French oak barrels. 100% Chardonnay. Enjoy now until Gold Medal SPECIAL SELECTION How we choose our wines... Gold Medal Wine Club showcases two wines each month from only the best small wineries of California. Featured wines include those which have earned medals in the top wine-industry competitions or have been highly rated by a respected national wine publication (see goldmedalwineclub.com/resources/wine-ratings). On occasion, we feature a pair of wines which are newly released by the winery and which medals and reviews are forthcoming. Each and every selection is a superb wine made in small quantities and with very limited distribution. There are over 3,000 wineries in California producing thousands of different wines. Only wines fitting the above criteria are considered in choosing the featured selections each month. 2

WILLOWBROOK Cellars Winemaker Joe Otos thrives on the challenge of producing world-class Pinot Noir and builds an award-winning reputation for his efforts and achievements.

desirous and most expensive (to buy or sell) of all varietals grown in California.

The Pinot Noir varietal is much more difficult to grow, requires a much more stable climate to reach fruition, and in theory, has driven many winemakers to the brink of irrationality by producing

This hilltop vineyard in the western corner of Sonoma County is one of the Pinot Noir sources for Willowbrook s Pinot Noirs.

3 WILLOWBROOK Cellars Winemaker Joe Otos thrives on the challenge of producing world-class Pinot Noir and builds an award-winning reputation for his efforts and achievements. A large number of small wineries in California are dedicated to the pursuit of Bordeaux grape varietals, with the venerable Cabernet Sauvignon grape serving as the main enticement that propels their actions. The grape is relatively easy to grow (requiring only a warm climate and adequate water) and the rewards of producing a splendid crop of grapes make the fruit of the Cabernet Sauvignon the most desirous and most expensive (to buy or sell) of all varietals grown in California. By comparison, wineries dedicated to Burgundian varietals and Pinot Noir in particular are far less common in the Golden State. The Pinot Noir varietal is much more difficult to grow, requires a much more stable climate to reach fruition, and in theory, has driven many winemakers to the brink of irrationality by producing less than desirous fruit. In fact, many experts point out that only in the past two or three decades have Pinot Noir based wines reached the quality level of their French counterparts. This hilltop vineyard in the western corner of Sonoma County is one of the Pinot Noir sources for Willowbrook s Pinot Noirs. Here, the combination of warm days and afternoon breezes (from the Petaluma Wind Gap) leads to a richer, fuller bodied style Pinot Noir. Co-owner and winemaker Joe Otos opts to age his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in French oak barrels. Why French oak? It is the popular choice for Burgundian varietals because they tend to add flavor compounds more subtly than the other main types of oak. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay soak up flavors more easily than other varieties, making French Oak the ideal match. The above being said, this month s Gold Series selection, Willowbrook Cellars, is and has been since its inception, dedicated to the production of Pinot Noir. Along with its white cousin, the ponderous Chardonnay, the two varietals have been the mainstay of the Sonoma County winery. Introduced with a small initial release in 1995, Willowbrook Cellars has consistently produced quality wines that have led to numerous accolades and high rankings from wine industry press and competitions. Willowbrook Cellars is owned by a number of investors, six in total. One owner, John Tracy and his wife Deborah, also owns Owl Ridge Wines that specializes in making Cabernet Sauvignon and is run as a sister winery to Willowbrook Cellars. Two decades have passed since Willowbrook Cellars emergence on the wine scene and the time has been good to the winery. The winery now produces in excess of 10,000 cases annually and has been favored with numerous accolades and plaudits through the years. Continued on Page 4 3

Willowbrook Cellars, continued Through its development and some of the ups and downs of the wine industry, Willowbrook Cellars has stuck to its original mission - production of first rate Pinot Noir

After over a year of aging in premium French Oak barrels, the Willowbrook Cellars Pinot Noir is bottled, labeled, and prepped for consumers.

I was very fortunate when I was still in school to find a parttime job at Ravenswood Winery, Otos recalled. The winery was well respected and I really paid attention to what was going on.

4 Willowbrook Cellars, continued Through its development and some of the ups and downs of the wine industry, Willowbrook Cellars has stuck to its original mission - production of first rate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is our pleasure to introduce these fine wines to our Gold Series members. After over a year of aging in premium French Oak barrels, the Willowbrook Cellars Pinot Noir is bottled, labeled, and prepped for consumers. 4 joe otos, Winemaker Winemaker Joe Otos s story is not dissimilar from many European winemakers in that he followed the path of apprenticeship in learning his profession. I was very fortunate when I was still in school to find a parttime job at Ravenswood Winery, Otos recalled. The winery was well respected and I really paid attention to what was going on. After graduation, Otos began making wines in a friend s garage, and eventually landed a job with Wellington Vineyards in nearby Glen Ellen. There he met Australian winemaker Chris Loxton and the two became immediate friends. Loxton also became Otos s mentor and eventually made him the assistant winemaker. I really learned a great deal from Chris, Joe Otos admitted. He taught me to tightly control every stage of fermentation. That experience taught me the value of consistent flavor profiles that come from a very controlled process. When I deal with Pinot Noir, the correct controls make a great difference in the eventual wine I am able to produce. His duties as winemaker also include the sometimes difficult job of sourcing fruit for Willowbrook Cellars portfolio of wines. It isn t always that easy and the fact that Pinot Noir is our main red varietal makes it even more difficult. I know what I am looking for but the available fruit isn t always what I need for a particular project, he added. Since we make other varietals (Zinfandel and Syrah), I get to see what different fruit can provide, but I always return to Pinot Noir. That s the challenge in our business and I truly enjoy the responsibility.

Food pairings from Willowbrook Jambalaya Pair with the Willowbrook 2014 Pinot Noir 1 lb Andouille sausage, sliced 2 tbsp canola oil 2 cups diced sweet onion 1 cup diced celery 1 large red bell

uncooked long-grain rice 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 lb peeled, medium-size raw shrimp, deveined 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Garnish: chopped green onions Cook sausage in hot oil in

5 Food pairings from Willowbrook Jambalaya Pair with the Willowbrook 2014 Pinot Noir 1 lb Andouille sausage, sliced 2 tbsp canola oil 2 cups diced sweet onion 1 cup diced celery 1 large red bell pepper, diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 bay leaf 2 tsp Creole seasoning 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried oregano 2 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained 3 cups chicken broth 2 cups uncooked long-grain rice 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 lb peeled, medium-size raw shrimp, deveined 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Garnish: chopped green onions Cook sausage in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon. Add diced onion and next 7 ingredients; sauté for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes, next 3 ingredients, and sausage. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in shrimp; cover and cook 5 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Stir in parsley. Serve immediately. Recipe provided by Willowbrook Cellars. Chicken Risotto Pair with the Willowbrook 2014 Chardonnay 2 chicken breasts, diced into 1 inch cubes, seasoned with salt and pepper 1 large onion, diced 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bunch of asparagus, diced 2 1/2 cups Arborrio rice 3 tbsp butter Olive oil 2 (14 oz) packages beef or chicken stock, may use less or more depending on preferred rice texture Pinch of salt and pepper 1/4 cup diced green onions or peas 1 cup water Parmesan cheese, optional Heat a large pan and add 1 tbsp olive oil. When oil is shimmery, add the diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Add the diced vegetables and when vegetables are slightly browned, add butter and stir. Lower heat to medium-low, add rice and stir well. Let rice brown just slightly (think toasted for a little flavor). Add a little of the stock and vermouth (optional!) - just enough to keep the consistency liquid. Stir frequently until the rice thickens. Add a little more stock until it is just barely liquid. Repeat stirring frequently until thickened and adding just enough stock to keep it from burning or becoming too thick. When your stock is gone, and the risotto has become thicker, taste it. If the rice is too crunchy, add a little water and proceed with the steps above. Risotto should be slightly al dente - just a slight crunch when bit. If you over cook the rice, it will become a bit gummy, but it s all individual taste preference. Add diced green onions just before your risotto is done and serve warm. Grate fresh Parmesan cheese over the top and enjoy! Recipe provided by Willowbrook Cellars. 5

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joe Otos Joe Otos is only 41, but the co-owner and winemaker feels that the two decades he has spent in the California wine business have provided him with more than the usual

6 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joe Otos Joe Otos is only 41, but the co-owner and winemaker feels that the two decades he has spent in the California wine business have provided him with more than the usual amount of obstacles to overcome. It s entirely my own doing, he offered. No one held a gun to my head and made me become interested in growing and making Pinot Noir. I did it because everyone said it was so hard to do and I ve always enjoyed a true challenge. Joe Otos (the Greek spelling of a Norwegian name Attas ) grew up in Los Angeles and had never thought of wine until he enrolled at Sonoma State and earned a degree in business. At some point, the wine bug bit Otos and caused him to follow his heart into the wine business. I had found a part time job at Ravenswood and that introduced me to the wine business at a fairly high level, he added. I began by making some wine in a friend of mine s garage, he recounted. It was great fun and people seemed to like the wines I made. The part-time job at Ravenswood was a real learning experience and showed me some possibilities. Then I hooked up with Chris Loxton at Wellington Vineyards and the rest is history. Loxton was a disciple of the UC Davis enology program and possessed a rich resume with stints at Quivira Vineyards and Winery and Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards along with a jaunt to down under to work at well-known St. Hallet Winery in Australia s Barossa Valley. Loxon took on Otos as an apprentice (see Winemaker section) at Wellington Vineyards and became his mentor. The two remain great friends to this day. Chris taught me everything I needed to know and I eventually became the assistant winemaker. I was still quite young and he helped me decide on what areas I wanted to pursue in my wine career. Joe Otos made a decision (that he doesn t regret) to pursue the elusive Pinot Noir grape and its myriad of problems. He elucidated, I knew going in that it wouldn t be easy, and it would take a great deal of passion and desire to become successful. The thing is, Pinot Noir is what I actually enjoy making. It is a grape whose fruit varies from year to year depending on the weather conditions and is always throwing something at you to make it more difficult. You must stay on your toes every minute of the process or the Pinot Noir will confound you. I was told when I started what I would be facing, but I always loved a challenge and making Pinot Noir has certainly lived up to its reputation. Joe Otos also combines his duties as winemaker at Owl Ridge Wines, a high-end producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. But his real passion is for the Burgundian confines of Willowbrook Cellars. I believe that I have learned a great deal about making wine, and Pinot Noir in particular. There was a time not long ago that almost everyone believed that it was impossible to make a really top quality Pinot Noir in California. I believe it s all in the terroir and the Russian River Valley and its magnificent fruit fulfills our need for world-class grapes, he concluded. Joe Otos is a most fortunate man as well as a top notch winemaker. He is able to fulfill his aspirations on an almost daily basis and his wines have garnered great acceptance as well as many accolades over the years. Were it not for winemakers like Joe Otos, California s Pinot Noir would never have gained the level of acceptance it has enjoyed for the past two decades. We salute this fine California winemaker for his outstanding efforts and accomplishments. 6

WINE REGION: Sonoma County Along with easterly neighbor Napa Valley, historic Sonoma County can arguably be called California s

It out produces Napa Valley more than two to one and currently has more than 60,000 acres under vine, most in the premium and

Geographically, Sonoma County is a plethora of exciting venues offering a diversity of climates and soils and home to practically

Much is made (with good reason) of Sonoma County s maritime presence and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

coastal conditions that Sonoma County occur along the Sonoma Coastline.

Willowbrook Cellars sources its fruit from among the finest producers, mostly in Sonoma County.

Willowbrook Cellars operates (since 2001) a six acre vineyard site along Burnside Road in the southwest corner of the Russian River

While considered a cool climate site, this location provides a long growing season with warm days offset by seasonal fog intruding

7 WINE REGION: Sonoma County Along with easterly neighbor Napa Valley, historic Sonoma County can arguably be called California s premier producer of high quality grapes. It out produces Napa Valley more than two to one and currently has more than 60,000 acres under vine, most in the premium and ultrapremium range. Geographically, Sonoma County is a plethora of exciting venues offering a diversity of climates and soils and home to practically every grape varietal grown in California. Much is made (with good reason) of Sonoma County s maritime presence and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Willowbrook Cellars two great varietals, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, thrive under the sometimes indecent foggy, rainy and windy coastal conditions that Sonoma County occur along the Sonoma Coastline. For some unexplained reason, both of these prominent varietals literally flourish in such inclement conditions. Willowbrook Cellars sources its fruit from among the finest producers, mostly in Sonoma County. Among the 17 sub regions of Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley AVA is considered one of the most excellent. Willowbrook Cellars operates (since 2001) a six acre vineyard site along Burnside Road in the southwest corner of the Russian River AVA that provides the fruit for the company s estate Pinot Noir. While considered a cool climate site, this location provides a long growing season with warm days offset by seasonal fog intruding from the Petaluma Wind Gap during the night. Grapes are generally picked at night to insure that they arrive at the winery cold and in prime condition. ADD A PLUS! BOTTLE to your next wine delivery The Plus! Program automatically adds on one special wine to each regularly scheduled wine delivery, or as often as you like! Plus! wines are all highly rated, very small production wines with availability too limited for all regular club members to receive. JOIN TODAY! $18-$22/DELIVERY Just 550 Cases Produced! This Month s Gold Series featured Plus! wine: Greenwood Ridge 2013 Pinot Noir DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL - SF Chronicle Wine Competition Retail Price at the Winery: $

8 Wine wizard: test your WINE iq! What is bottle shock? Bottle shock is a temporary condition in a wine where its flavors are muted or disjointed. There are two main scenarios when bottle shock can set in - either right after bottling, or when wines are shaken in travel. Usually a few days of rest is the cure. The evidence for this phenomenon is more anecdotal than scientific, but the theory is that all the complex elements in wine (phenolics, tannins, and compounds) are constantly evolving, both on their own and in relation to each other. Heat or motion can add stress to this evolution, causing the wine to shut down temporarily. Are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the only grapes permitted in Burgundy? No, but Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the most famous, popular, widely planted, and well-known grapes of Burgundy. Other notable Burgundian grapes included Gamay (red), which is grown in the Beaujolais region, Aligoté (white), which is found in value-priced wines of the region, and Sauvignon Blanc, which is the primary grape of St. Bris, near Chablis. The Gold Medal Wine Store Instant! Membership Rewards Saves you 18% to 36% off Willowbrook Cellars Wines! WILLOWBROOK Retail Price Gold Medal Membership Rewards Pricing* CELLARS at Winery 2+ btls. 6+ btls. 12+ btls. Willowbrook 2013 Pinot Noir Monterey County $24.00/btl. 2-Bottle Members: 4-Bottle Members: $19.00 $17.33 $16.50 $19.00 $16.50 $15.25 Willowbrook 2014 Chardonnay California $22.00/btl. 2-Bottle Members: 4-Bottle Members: $18.00 $16.33 $15.50 $18.00 $15.50 $14.25 *Effective per bottle prices after Membership Rewards discount is applied at checkout. Order Online: Call Toll Free: These special discounts are available only to club members, gift recipients and gift givers. 2 bottle min, per wine, per order. Shipping and tax (if applicable) not included in above prices. Membership Rewards does not apply to Sale or Special Offer Wines.

Windstream Cellars Central Coast

GOLD SERIES vol. 26 no. 01 WINE PRESS w Medal Winning Wines from California s Best Family-Owned Wineries. Windstream Cellars Central Coast GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB America s Leading Independent Wine Club Since